vibhav

Not sure if we have any experts on these forums for the interiors of India and the pilgrimage spots in India ... But we are heading there for a trip to Kedarnath, the famous Shiv temple deep in the Garwahal region in UP ... we are planning to stay up at the temple for one night and then return back to the base next day... But we wanted to know if there is reason to extend stay at the madir to two nights? We would like to do so if there are some short/medium hiking/ trekking routes from near the temple that will offer some scenery? I have been there when I was a child and I remember as it being too gorgeous ... Just not sure if there are any trekking routes from the temple to warrant staying an extra night ...

Any help will be much appreciated as Google is not bringing up much on that subject ...

GinaK

OK, I have absolutely no experience to offer, but your post made me curious about Kedarnath, & poking around I found this:
http://www.pilgrimage-india.com/chardham/kedarnath.html
Maybe nothing new to you here, but it does mention a couple of nearby lakes of potential interest (Chorabari and Vasuki Tal). Sounds like a beautiful area!

Jaya

Kedarnath is not in Uttar Pradesh. It is in the Uttar Kashi district of the northern state of Uttaranchal.

vibhav

Thanks a lot GinaK for looking around ... het the Chorabari and Vasuki Tal are something we are wanting to consider ...

Jaya, you are right, it is in the state of Uttaranchal ... I left India before that state become its own and so in my head I still think of it as Uttar Pradesh, my bad!! Thanks for correcting me ...

Has anyone done the treks for Chorabari and Vasuki Tal? Should I get guides for one or both of them?? I read somewhere that the guide for Vasuki tal is a must but not sure if need one for Chorabari (Gandhi Sarovar) too ...

Also, the trek to Vasuki tal is 6 km or 8 km one way? How is the terrain? Is there a big climb or is it relatively flat ?

520

You may want to check the Indiamike.com site for trekking information. There's generally a lot more there than on the Fodor forum. Sounds like a fascinating trip. Good luck!